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.257 Weatherby load question #6394953 08/04/16 09:38 PM
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madhatr02 Offline OP
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As much of this post will sound like it, this really isn't about the money. It is just about spending it wisely.

This is not a caliber discussion.

After passing on several .257's for one reason or another 1 finally dropped right in my lap so I now own a Remington 700 in a caliber I really like.

The question revolves around ammo. I will be leaving in early November to head to Colorado after mule deer.

I have planned to shoot 100gr TTSX or 110 Accubond as I have had good luck with them in other calibers.

Those 2 rounds factory loaded are about $75 per 20. I have the capability to hand load and could go that route but not having brass ($40 per 20) it is still about $3-$4 per round.

While browsing around today I came across Hornady 90gr GMX at $42 per box. So I can basically get 20 factory rounds for the price of just brass.

My concern is that being too light of a bullet for a mature colorado mule deer. However that thought is not based on any logic other than what I know about. he size of mule deer.

So the question remains load or pay for a higher grain or 90 is more than adequate. Just asking because I don't know.


Semper Fi
Kevin
Re: .257 Weatherby load question [Re: madhatr02] #6394970 08/04/16 09:46 PM
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booradley Offline
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I think 90 grains would be just fine, but I'm not an expert. Many people hunt mule deer with .243's.


Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
Re: .257 Weatherby load question [Re: madhatr02] #6394979 08/04/16 09:59 PM
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My minimum weight for any Whitetail would be 100 grain. I have never hunted Mule Deer but I would not feel comfortable with the 90gr GMX. I have seen first hand what a 110 Accubond will do to a very large Boar so if I were going to hunt Mule Deer that would be my first choice.

I am sure there are plenty of people out there that have dropped Mule Deer with a 55gr 223 but nobody will ever convince me its a good idea to do it.

Re: .257 Weatherby load question [Re: JCB] #6395034 08/04/16 10:49 PM
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madhatr02 Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: JCB
My minimum weight for any Whitetail would be 100 grain. I have never hunted Mule Deer but I would not feel comfortable with the 90gr GMX. I have seen first hand what a 110 Accubond will do to a very large Boar so if I were going to hunt Mule Deer that would be my first choice.

I am sure there are plenty of people out there that have dropped Mule Deer with a 55gr 223 but nobody will ever convince me its a good idea to do it.


Thanks for the input. Thus you see my debate. It's a very hard question and I am not even sure if there is a correct answer which makes it so hard.

Some guy killed an elk with a .22 hornet but doesn't make it wise.

The GMX is a good bullet but 20gr may be the safe and good answer. I will spend what it cost but before I spend twice the money just wanted some insight.


Semper Fi
Kevin
Re: .257 Weatherby load question [Re: madhatr02] #6395044 08/04/16 10:54 PM
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I would get the 90 grain factory loads, shoot them to get used to the gun, then reload the brass with heavier bullets and sight it in again for the hunt.

Last edited by charlesb; 08/04/16 10:55 PM.

Kind regards, charlesb


Re: .257 Weatherby load question [Re: madhatr02] #6395068 08/04/16 11:10 PM
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the rule of thumb for going from a lead bullet to a copper bullet is about 20 grains. So a lead bullet of 110 grains should equal about a 90 grain solid cooper bullet, like the 90 GMX. I prefer the 115 grain Berger VLD-H or the 110 grain Accubond. I'm not a solid copper bullet fan, but I do load a lot of them. Let me know if I can load anything specific for you.


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Re: .257 Weatherby load question [Re: madhatr02] #6395077 08/04/16 11:19 PM
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I wouldn't worry about it. The bullet isn't going to break apart and it's gotta be going over 3500 fps. I've shot 2 mulies with 100gr TTSX and either would have been just as dead with a 90gr bullet. Both bullets went through and through and I bet that GMX would do the same. Or, if you are super concerned, shoot them and reload with whatever you like.


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Re: .257 Weatherby load question [Re: madhatr02] #6395124 08/04/16 11:58 PM
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I've used the 80 grain .243 GMX @ 3300 fps on deer with great satisfaction. If the load shoots accurately in your rifle, I'd use it without hesitation.



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Re: .257 Weatherby load question [Re: madhatr02] #6395560 08/05/16 01:03 PM
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I'm curious why a 100 grain TSX is adequate but a 90 grain GMX is not.

If it were not a monometal bullet I would say it was to light. In my opinion bullets like GMX and TSX usually do better the lighter and faster they are run. I wouldn't let the 90 grain bother me.


It's hell eatin em live
Re: .257 Weatherby load question [Re: charlesb] #6395594 08/05/16 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted By: charlesb
I would get the 90 grain factory loads, shoot them to get used to the gun, then reload the brass with heavier bullets and sight it in again for the hunt.


^^ This. I actually have to do this with my 7mm WSM since brass is difficult to find. One member was gracious enough to send me 30 pieces of brass for the price of shipping, but the rest of my brass is from buying a few boxes of factory ammo and getting used to my rifle/tuning my trigger. The rest is history up

Re: .257 Weatherby load question [Re: madhatr02] #6395611 08/05/16 01:47 PM
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The 90gr. GMX will do more than fine..... but its a tough bullet and needs enough speed and resistance to really shine.

I have shot dozens of .257wby factory loads and reloads and the GMX is perfect for the .257Wby; however as my go to round I stayed with the 100gr. Barnes TSX loaded 1/2 grain under max with reloader #22 powder and Winchester magnum rifle primers and had awesome results in both accuracy and on game performance.

p.s. I chronographed every single .257wby factory round I could get my hands on as well as the reloads I tried and the recipe above with RE#22 powder and 100gr. TSX is a spot on match for the 100gr. TSX Weatherby factory loads



This particular one killed 3 hogs.... Hit the first hog at 100yds in the shoulder and mushroomed, dropping hog 1 then went through hog #2 dropping it as well and almost fully penetrated hog #3 and was found under the skin on the far side.

3 dead hogs 2 of which were killed with it mushroomed(you could tell from the entrance wound) and still has 93% weight retention.


Yes very effective on deer as well; the only thing you have to remember is that these bullets both TSX & GMX need enough resistance to fully open up and reach their potential...... so forget the "Right behind the shoulder" saying and put the bullet right square in the middle of the front shoulder blade and these bullets hit like thors hammer.

Re: .257 Weatherby load question [Re: madhatr02] #6395743 08/05/16 03:23 PM
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As put so well above, when shooting copper, aim at bone.


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Re: .257 Weatherby load question [Re: madhatr02] #6395770 08/05/16 03:56 PM
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My 257 wouldn't group 90g Barnes X well at all. I'm talking 2 - 3 " groups. My hand loading bud did at least 6 different loads.

I tried factory Weatherby 100g spire points and they shoot sub MOA. Deer, Axis, Aoudads, Sika, Fallow, Black Buck, rams, and hogs don't stand a chance.

I believe the 257 spire would work on mule deer since my 270 130g has worked well.

Re: .257 Weatherby load question [Re: redchevy] #6395859 08/05/16 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted By: redchevy
I'm curious why a 100 grain TSX is adequate but a 90 grain GMX is not.

If it were not a monometal bullet I would say it was to light. In my opinion bullets like GMX and TSX usually do better the lighter and faster they are run. I wouldn't let the 90 grain bother me.


That makes a lot of sense to me.


Kind regards, charlesb


Re: .257 Weatherby load question [Re: madhatr02] #6396427 08/06/16 02:45 AM
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I've killed a lot of animals with the 257 Wby. I shot the 100 gr spire points and Hornady Interlocks for a long time with good results. My rifle just likes them a lot. I'm now loading 100 gr Barnes TTSX in mine, for no other reason than meat preservation. With the spire points at 3600 fps , I could always count on major meat loss in the shoulders with a vital shot. It's like a grenade going off in the body cavity. Nothing but jello when you open them up. Extremely effective, but I drew the line after having fragments pass through the diaphragm and puncture guts on a crease of the shoulder, broadside shot on a couple of deer. I've shot whitetail and antelope with the Barnes at distances from 100 to 267 yds, and performance has been adequate, ie: dead critters. The internal damage is nowhere near what the cup and cores were doing, but less meat damage was my end goal, and that's exactly what I got. We're also talking thin skinned game and the only bones hit were ribs. Caliber sized entrance, slightly larger exit, and lacerated instead of liquified vitals. I think the 90 gr GMX would be fine for deer sized game, just don't expect explosive results.

Re: .257 Weatherby load question [Re: madhatr02] #6399183 08/08/16 08:26 PM
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I shoot a 257 wby exclusively, have for a long time. I have been using the 100 TTSX for a few years now and have had great results. Mule deer, whitetail and antelope.

Re: .257 Weatherby load question [Re: madhatr02] #6399274 08/08/16 09:12 PM
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I shoot the factory 87 grain spire points.


Yes! A Weatherby does kill them deader.
Re: .257 Weatherby load question [Re: charlesb] #6399812 08/09/16 03:12 AM
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Originally Posted By: charlesb
I would get the 90 grain factory loads, shoot them to get used to the gun, then reload the brass with heavier bullets and sight it in again for the hunt.


X2


Old age and treachery beats youth and stupid every time!
Re: .257 Weatherby load question [Re: madhatr02] #6403664 08/11/16 05:27 PM
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I use 110 grain accubonds in my .257 wby


They work


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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